David Díaz (born 1960) is an American illustrator of children's books. He won the 1995 Caldecott Medal for U.S. picture book illustration recognizing Smoky Night by Eve Bunting. He currently lives in Carlsbad, California. Biography David Díaz grew up in southern Florida with his family. He discovered his love for drawing when he was in the first grade while working on a vowel worksheet. His parents were afraid of his love for art because they did not want him to struggle with the uncertainty of being an artist. When David was only sixteen his mother passed away, which left a huge hole in his heart. From this tragedy, he used drawing as a catharsis for his emotional output. In high school, Díaz had an inspiring teacher that helped nurture his potential, this same teacher also lead him to competitions where he won awards for his art. When he got older, Díaz moved to southern California where he became a graphic design artist until he made his own design and illustration business called Diaz Icon. In 2018, a book Diaz had illustrated was pulled before its publication following allegations of sexual harassment at a Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators conference. Awards and exhibitions Exhibitions 1997: "Going Home" art exhibit held by the National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature, Abilene, Texas July 8 – October 1, 2010: "Golden Kite, Golden Dream. Celebrating the Art of the Golden Kite Award" art exhibit to be hosted by the National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature, Abilene, Texas Awards 1995 Caldecott Medal, Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), American Library Association, Smoky Night by Eve Bunting 1995 School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, Smoky Night 2009 Parents' Choice Award, Ocean's Child Runners-up 2004 Pura Belpré Award, ALSC, ALA, The Pot That Juan Built by Nancy Andrews-Goebel 2006 Pura Belpré Award, César: ¡Sí, Se Puede! Yes, We Can! by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand 2010 Pura Belpré Award, Diego: Bigger Than Life by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand Books illustrated Yes! We are Latinos by Alma Flor Ada and F. Isabel Campoy, Charlesbridge (2013) Martín de Porres: The Rose in the Desert by Gary Schmidt, Clarion (2012) Before You Came by Patricia MacLachlan & Emily MacLachlan Charest, HarperCollins (2011) Me, Frida by Amy Novesky, Harry N. Abrams Inc. (2010) Sharing the Seasons: A Book of Poems by Lee Bennett Hopkins, Simon & Schuster (2010) Let There